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Education
p-ISSN: 2162-9463 e-ISSN: 2162-8467
2015; 5(1): 9-14
doi:10.5923/j.edu.20150501.02
Mysticism in the Songs of Bangladeshi Baul (Mystic) Singer - Khabiruddin Dewan
Abstract
Reference
Full-Text PDF
Full-text HTMLShamsad Begum Chowdhury, Uditi Das, Nasima Perveen
Institute of Education, Research and Training, University of Chittagong, Chittagong, Bangladesh
Correspondence to: Shamsad Begum Chowdhury, Institute of Education, Research and Training, University of Chittagong, Chittagong, Bangladesh.
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Copyright © 2015 Scientific & Academic Publishing. All Rights Reserved.
Sufism in the songs of Baul (mystic) poets and singers is naturally originated in the then Persian (Iranian) singers but the southern part of Asia specially in Bangladesh, it has been spread through the lyrics and songs of Baul singers. Generally in this type of songs the Baul or Mystic singers symbolize the souls as various birds. They also symbolize their songs as the sweet notes of flute. Sometimes these mystic poets use the terms- Tori (small boats), Kheya Nouka (canoes), Kheya parapar ( to cross the rivers), to symbolize the journey from this physical world to afterworld. They use the word Sai or Moner Manush for ‘God’ or ‘Allah’ - the Almighty.’ In this essay, the researchers have tried to show the countrywide popularity of this type of songs and its influence on mass people.
Keywords: Baul Song, Alefchan Dewan, Akhda (Temporary House), Murshidi Songs, Sect, Khabiruddin Dewan
Cite this paper: Shamsad Begum Chowdhury, Uditi Das, Nasima Perveen, Mysticism in the Songs of Bangladeshi Baul (Mystic) Singer - Khabiruddin Dewan, Education, Vol. 5 No. 1, 2015, pp. 9-14. doi: 10.5923/j.edu.20150501.02.
Article Outline
- Though in Bangladesh, the mystic or Baul songs flourishes around the area of Kustia i.e. greater Nadia, after that, ‘as a result of several saints’ efforts several schools (Gharana) have been spread in Jessore, Khulna, Faridpur, Dhaka, Tangail, Mymensingh, and the western part of Sylhet.’(Habibur Rahman, The Folk Songs of Bangladesh and geographical environment, Bangla Academy, Dhaka, 1982, pg-144), that means this widely spread songs though obeyed the socio-economic condition and cultural and geographical encroachment, yet as it holds the main theme of Baul religion, so it is named as Baul songs. In Baul songs there are some sects like- Attototto, Dehototto, Gurutotto, Premtotto, Srishtitotto, Gudhatotto, Poromtotto etc. which are also found in the mystic songs like Murshidi songs, Fakir Songs, Tarza songs and Bichar songs. Individuality has been created in the language and lyrics of these songs according to and on the basis of regional and spiritual aim. WE find the influence of Sufism in the songs of the saints like Kalu Shah Fakir (1810-1905), Sha’nal (Shahlal) Shah Fakir. Alefchan Dewan (1839-1929), Malek Dewan (1893-1988), Bhaba Pagla (1902-1984), Khalek Dewan (1909-2003), Khabiruddin Dewan (1929-2007) etc. in the greater Dhaka region.Alefchan Dewan hailed from the village Bamansur of Keraniganj upazilla in the district of Dhaka. He was more known as ‘Alfu Dewan’. He was a wandering mendicant and his songs; there was a scene of myticism. His ideal was Sufism. He became famous by singing Marefati songs. It is heard that he had a close relation with Lalon Shah- a very popular and famous mystic singer of Bangladesh. He could play a number of folk musical instruments. It is also heard that he had harmonized with the songs of Lalon Shah. This saying proves Alefchan’s talent in music. Though he is known as the saint-singer of mystic and Murshidi songs, we find his talent in Baul songs also. In the prologue of his songs, he introduced himself through the words like- ‘Dayal’, ‘Dervish’, ‘Pagaal’, ‘Dewan’, ‘Gonshai’, ‘Fakir’ etc. To increase the number of the songs of Lalon Shah, some researchers added many songs which are composed by some other mystic poets or singers. They are known to be Duddu Shah, Panchu Shah and Gopal Shah, they belonged to Kustia region while some others added the songs of Alefchan Dewan and Kalu Shah Fakir of Dhaka.Alefchan’s followers accuse that Dr. S. M Lutfur Rahman in his book Lalon Shah: Life and Songs” included three songs of Alefchan’s songs as Lalon’s songs. I would like to uphold this matter here because there is such a close similarity between the thought and language of Lalon’s and Alefchan’s songs that it is really tough to bring out the difference from these songs. But this is not true in case of all of their songs. Though belonging to the Baul Gharana, Alefchan’s songs are greatly influenced by Murshidi and Fakiri sects. He became the follower of a spiritual guide and was a disciple of Chistiya Tareeka (way). It is also heard that during the last days of his life, he wanted to be a follower of the Naksbandya Tareeka. But he had a lot of followers who belonged to non-muslim especially Hindu religion. He sings- ‘The sailors sail away Bind the rope tightly O captain! Where Sriguru is! He goes to the other side of the sea merrily Alefchan says- one may go If Sriguru takes pity on one, He may go there with all!(Gist:- In this song, the poet says that he is aimless if his guide does not show him the right path ).There is a Baul-effect in the lyrics of this song. But in Keraniganj area the singers of his Akhda (den) presents it in Murshidi melody. Alefchan’s two sons- Malek Dewan and Khalek Dewan and his grand-grandson Khabiruddin Dewan inherit his songs and his spiritual meditation. Arif Dewan of this generation has become famous as a singer. Shakir Dewan, Azad Dewan, Uttam Dewan etc. are related with this sect of songs. These singers have been creating a distinguished type of Gharana i.e ‘Dewani’ sect in between two other Baul-type sects like Murshidi and Fakir.Malek Dewan, son of Alefchan Dewan came to the world of music by inheritance. Besides Marefati, he used to perform Murshidi and Kirtan also. Through music he got spiritual enlightenment too. He became popular among all races, religions, castes without any discrimination. He used to speak about the unity among Hindus and Muslims through music. ‘O lord, take me to shore,’ ‘If I would remember Him properly.’-all these songs still are sung by the people throughout the country.Khalek Dewan, younger brother of Malek Dewan also took lessons of music and like his father and elder brother spread secular thoughts throughout the country. He became popular by performing the songs like-‘There is no boundary of Love’, ‘What is the use of nuptial night if you don’t come’.Khabiruddin Dewan, son of Malek Dewan, has gained melody as ancestral inheritance. Father, uncle and grandfather- he got fundamental knowledge of music fro these ancestors. Then he himself began to perform. He performed Murshidi and Marefati songs competing with the contemporary artists who were from far and abroad. Sill it won’t be an exaggeration that inspite of his ancestors’ extraordinary talent, Khabir’s was dim but his wide-spread popularity excels them.Arif Dewan (b. 1960), son of Khabiruddin Dewan is a popular singer of this time. He is proceeding upholding the mainstream of Bengali folk songs. Though he mainly sings the songs composed by his great-grandfather, grandfather, and his father, simultaneously he composes songs himself. Besides these, he has upheld the songs of Lalon Shah, Abdul Aleem, Bijoy Sarkar, Rajjab Ali Dewan to our new generation. He is a registered lyricist, musician and artist of Radio Bangladesh (Bangladesh Betar, ID no. 1014549). ‘I am a Baul who wander from one place to another’, ‘O boatman, keep your boat in the shore’, ‘My friend (Lord) will come in the darkness’, ‘I heard him playing flute’. – All these songs have become widely popular. His songs are recorded in more than 20 CDs.Shakir Dewan (b. 1971), another son of Khabiruddin Dewan is a music-director as well as a skill-handed journalist and researcher. In the mean time, some of the books written by him are published. He collected his father’s songs, edited and published them accordingly which outwardly shows that he has observed his responsibility as a son to his father but through this, he has performed a national duty indeed! Through the publication of the collections of Khabiruddin Dewan’s songs done by Shakir Dewan, his lyrics have been saved from being lost forever with the course of time. His songs have got the opportunity to be easily reached to most of the people.Khabir Dewan’s lyrics are very ecstatic. So far we have read and observed that the singers of Sufi and Baul Gharana only wanted to awaken against the rituals of the religions. They obeyed their own religion but they showed sympathy to other religions. Khabir Dewan most probably was not baul tradition wise but in his songs, he expressed the ideals of Baul very cordially. We get this idea when we read the lyrics of his songs let alone the melody. He wrote: ‘Some says, you exist Some says no, How can I realize you? Where shall I go? O the Omnipresent Omnipotent Lord!’(Gist: Here the poet is confused about where he can find God).In this song, he says about the abstract idea of God. According to the religious books, God is Omnipresent, He stays everywhere, but then why does everybody search for Him- this universal question arises in the artist’s mind also. But this theism doesn’t focus only on absolute existence of God, it also focuses the mankind. He sings in another song:‘Throughout the whole world I wandered about, I found nothing but only human being And inside them God exists, Alef and Malek Shah observes The mystery of creation.’(Gist: In this song the poet praises the high rationality of man over all other creation of God). Khabiruddin Dewan is such a person who preached the eternal truth that- ‘Nothing is greater than man.’ He composed a large number of songs of this Baul Gharana. He was not a wandering mendicant Baul, yet he cherished this Baul-philosophy. He was also eager to find out his ‘Moner Manush’ (God/ inner soul). His lyrics are rich with experience: ‘He cannot be called a man Who is only skinned, I wandered here and there But found no real one.’(Gist: The poet searches for a true human being but finds no one except only some irrational fools).‘Moner Manush’ stays among all. He revealed this truth by using the phrase ‘Moner Manush’-firstly uttered by Lalon Shah and ultimately he composed a very charming song: ‘Moner Manush stays among all Notice him He is called Chintamoni His sign is in our souls, He comes and goes as he wishes.’(Gist: Here the poet imagines his Subject of worship as a Bird Who comes and goes away from him whenever He wishes).Not only on Baul-philosophy, he composed many songs on Srishtitotto also. Khabir Dewan’s individuality is notable in his Murshidi songs. He, like others took his Murshid as the mediator to proceed onwards. But from his point of view, to know the Murshid a devotee must gain certain eligibility and if a devotee fails to know the real Murshid, he won’t be able to get redemption. In one of his songs we see: ‘You can verify one’s mind If you rub it against a touchstone It is only the Guru who Realizes the purity of the offerings of a priest.(Gist: The poet is puritan here, so he surrenders to his Guru or spiritual guide and requests him to verify the real follower). ------------------------------------------------------------- Khabir says, I came for two days With a hope that I would meet him But now I am in a puzzle, Coudn’t find out my Murshid!’(Gis : The temporary stay in this world does not give poet much time to find out his Murshid (spiritual guide) which makes him puzzled ). In this song, Khabir Dewan used some technical words which are the expression of his modern mentality. There is a deep expression of his own devotion and belief in his songs. He is sure about his Murshid and expresses his idea: ‘None will be able to meet Allah Without the intermediation of Murshid, So, don’t waste your time to find him out.(Gist: Here the poet says confidently that without the guidance of Murshid none is able to realize his Creator).--------------------------------------------------------------------- Thinking this Khabir Dewan says, The person who is devoted to his Guru Keeps the reflection of Murshid in close touch Then nothing else is to be worried about.’(Gist: With confidence the poet says that everybody should keep in close touch with his Murshid or guide to overcome all the sufferings.)In this song he used some words like reflection or Murshid and some other words from which we become clear that he was a man of broad mentality. He wrote about Urash Festival held in his own village while saying about his own Murshid: ‘In Bamansur, all the devotees Again and again take the name of Allah Whole world is taking His name In the guise of Murshid.(Gist: The poet here feels his Creator’s reflection in his spiritual guide. Here the poet imagines that his creator and his guide are all the same).--------------------------------------------------------------------- Khabir says, he who has no Murshid How unlucky he is! His birth and death is in vain, What will happen to you O fellow! What wealth will you take with you?’(Gist: In this song, the poet wails for the man who fails to find out his guide throughout his life). His lyrics about Islamic culture and tradition are considered as the valuable treasure of our folk songs. To awake the original Islamic conscience he referred to the historical characters and events. In one of his songs, we get the name of Abdul Kader Jilani (R): ‘When the name of Jilani Pir is taken The earthern pot turns into gold pot Think deeply about him and find out the true path, Only then you will get Him.(Gist: Here comes a reference of the Pir (spiritual guide) Abdul Kadir Jilani – who is famous in this subcontinent and in some parts of Asia- for his spiritual power). --------------------------------------------------------------------- Lo! Jilani PIr Was born in Jilan To get his blessings His lovers sacrifices their lives.’(Gist: The poet expresses his deep love and devotion for Jilani Pir - Addul Kadir Jilani ). The Holy Quran – for the Muslims is a must to obey, Khabir Dewan made us remember the matter. As in it, a full lifestyle of a man is narrated clearly, so he calls everyone to follow it through his song: ‘Firstly perform your works According to the Quran, From the beginning to the end Follow and follow it--------------------------------------------------------------------- Khabir says don’t take your Religion as trifling matter, Try to understand accurately what Allah says and then devote yourself. Obey your own religion first Then fix up your mind Coming to this world will be successful And only then your life will be full of bliss.’(Gist: The poet here, as a Muslim, is very loyal to the rituals of the Holy Quran and again and again tells to obey all the orders of God. He moreover tells that only by obeying His laws, one can obtain the blessings of Him). Khabir Dewan was expert in composing songs about Dehototto. Many of his songs are of this sect. We can realize his ideas about Dehototto from some quotations of his songs. We know that ‘boat’, ‘boatman’, ‘Dighi(pond)’, or ‘river’- these words are used symbolically by many thinkers. We find Khabir Dewan using the word ‘launch’-(a kind of water vehicle) as a symbol while composing songs. In one such, he says: ‘O the passengers of the launch! What is your destination? All are in the guise of passengers Is anyone your kith and kin?--------------------------------------------------------------------- We all are passengers On the arrival at the destination No one is there on board! All will leave without asking anything And for a short while is the conversation!’(Gist : The poet imagines himself and other people none but some passengers on board who after reaching the destination i.e. afterworld will not say or ask anything to anybody).As Lalon Shah has mentioned ‘Achin Pakhi’, Hason Raja’s ‘Kuda Pakhi’, same is Khabir Dewan’s ‘Uda Pakhi’. These kinds of his songs are comparable with Lalon’s and Hason’s songs. In one song we see: ‘My soul is a flying bird( Uda Pakhi) How can I tame it, It cheats me and flies away It closed its eye forever Never opened its eye anymore.’( Gist: In this song the poet imagines human soul as a bird. Like a bird if it flies away once, never returns to the cage i.e. body again). This Uda Pakhi is found in another song termed as Manura Pakhi. With the same symbol Khabir composed different songs with different melody: ‘The Manura Pakhi cries I know not for whom; It always makes me crazy I pass sleepless night.’(Gist: His soul laments but he does not know for whom or what- as it is fact that human being cannot realize for what his soul longs).Again in another new song, this Manura Pakhi is described as Mon-Pakhi. With this symbolic word he expressed his mental agitation, so he sought shelter to Sai. He sang- ‘All happiness of life ended Mon pakhi, you try to understand The happiness came to an end.--------------------------------------------------------------- This is Khabir’s bad luck Thorns are everywhere on the way I remained as a worthless And watched immorality in the world Now I realize everything, O my Lord! give me shelter, I have no way.’(Gist: At last the wailing poet seeks shelter to God Whom he sometimes calls – Sai or Lord).Departing songs/ Forlorn songs remind us the name of Bijoy Sarkar. In the southern part of Bangladesh, especially the greater Jessore on the south bank of the river Padma, Faridpur, Barisal, Pirojpur and Khulna- the departing songs of Bijoy Sarkar is still heard. On this bank of the Padma it is not so widely sung. However we find such type of songs in the songs of Arif Dewan He sings: ‘Is there any such friend of mine Who may console me, I traveled far and abroad But could not search out anyone.’Departing songs or forlorn songs means the songs full of lamentation for one’s beloved who cheated or forsook the lover alone. The departing song of Bijoy Sarkar titled ‘The tamed bird would fly away one day, I couldn’t imagine that even for a day’-is a frequently heard song in the southern part of Bangladesh.Same thematic lyrics are pronounced in Khabir Dewan’s song in a bit different way- ‘The parrot(totapakhi)flew away O my beloved, but never told me Where it went.------------------------------------------------------------- He who has a bird like mine Will realize how I feel And he will no longer tame any bird Because it is really painful My body aches Khabir cries for that bird and hopes If it comes again!’(Gist: Here the poet laments for his beloved whom he calls parrot and pines away for his beloved’s separation. But in the last line he is a bit hopeful that some day he will meet his beloved again). Though there is similarity between Khabir Dewan’s and Bijoy Sarkar’s theme of songs, still Khabir’s songs created a new genre in the departing songs. Khabir Dewan composed different types of folk songs but simultaneously he composed songs regarding contemporary topics. He highlighted the topics like Arsenic Problems and Safe Maternity in his songs. He composed songs based on the government policy for Adult Education. To create awareness among mass people his song may contribute a lot in the national development programs. A mystic thinker composed such worldly songs;It may be considered as a national duty. These songs may be the important weapons of government publicity. He composed Jarigaan(a kind of song sung by a group of people) on our language movement. He, after stating the history of our language movement, sings at last: ‘O heroes and martyrs Take my salute We didn’t forget you, never we will. O the people, who laid down their lives For our mother tongue They remained immortal forever. Though we know that we have long way to go, long way to go.’He raised his voice to state our great liberation war. His songs about liberation war can play an important role to make our new generation (post liberation war) aware and more enthusiastic.This folk poet composed some intriguing verses about our Father of Nation Bangabandhu: ‘You extended love to all Then why did you hide yourself? That’s why we weep for you till now! O my comrade!------------------------------------------------------------------ The Father of Our Nation A model like Bengali This country will uphold His ideals forever.’ His songs are so progressive in thought that they will make him immortal especially he will be remembered by the Bangladeshi people forever for his songs regarding Sufism. I have searched for the prologue of his songs where I have found in most of the songs he mentioned his name as Khabir or Khabir Dewan. Again in some songs he used the term Kangal (beggar) Khabir. Why did he choose this term for himself? Was he a beggar of love? What type of love did he want? Spiritual love-this is the answer we get. What is the system to reach the goal? The answer is Chistiya Tareeka. According to him: ‘Khwaja, it is very difficult to realize Your mystery, He who realized, emerged himself in you. In Chistiya Tareeka There are five sects, All obey your commands as you beckon. If your name is remembered His address is known as Chistiya All become faithful With your blessings!’(Gist: In this song poet directly praises his another spiritual guide- Khawja Mainuddin Chisti and he wants to be blessed by him). This Sufi poet-singer of Chistiya Tareeka has enriched the treasure of music. As his songs have been collected now, we will be able to take the essence of it. His mystic songs will increase the spiritual feelings among the Bengali people. Khabiruddin Dewan, the successful and eligible heir of Alefchan Dewan has enriched the folk songs of Bangladesh. Folk-lyric, folk music, folk philosophy- all these are combined in one book which the readers will accept as their own treasure without raising any question and we hope for the best of it. Sufism or Mysticism in this way knowingly or unknowingly or naturally spread throughout the country through the songs sung by these illiterate or half literate Bual singers. They contribute much in the folk songs also. Yet, they, in one sense still remain ignored though they are the sons of soil. So, their talent deserves respect and attention of the people from all classes. This should be done to show the respect to our values and tradition of our country.ObjectiveThe Baul singers are mostly illiterate. Here the researchers have tried to depict how these illiterate singers could easily express their mystic and ecstatic ideas through their songs which were generally sung orally and though most of them have no written form, yet how popular these songs are among people indiscriminating the classes.